An immense diversity exists in all children’s environments, educations, and cultural lives. But an enormous sameness is inherent in all children—the need to be respected, nurtured, and accepted. Those needs must be met externally. But for all individuals those needs must also be met internally in order to develop a sense of self-worth.
Maskerade—“My Self—And No Other”
will endeavor to enable the TAG 1-3 students to examine themselves, discover their strong, positive attributes, and recognize areas in need of improvement (since each individual possesses strengths but all people have some weaknesses). This process of self-discovery will be carefully teacher-guided with encouragement toward self-acceptance, trust in oneself, and assumptions of a right to belong and participate in the ‘community,’ in society, in life.
Attitudes of appreciation for the diversity in one another and acceptance of all individuals will be fostered. The students will be introduced to literary works, art pieces, and hands-on creative activities from different cultures. They will compare and contrast experiences and draw conclusions. Is it possible that people, although different, have much, even more, in common? Is it possible that people are the same where it is important to be the same, different where it makes life interesting?
New Haven’s Talented and Gifted Early Identification Program (Grades K-3) provides itinerant services on a weekly basis to identified first through third grade students. (Kindergartners receive whole-class instruction.) The K-3 Program has been designed as an enrichment curriculum incorporating age-appropriate hands-on activities, critical thinking skills, creative problem-solving opportunities, independent projects, and field trip experiences. This unit has been prepared for the students participating in this program.
